Registering Your Vehicle in Hawaii

INSURANCE You must have at the very least “No-Fault” insurance to drive a vehicle here in Hawaii. I personally have full coverage for both our vehicles, even our fully paid off car.

No-Fault isurance is defined as: “No-fault systems generally exempt individuals from the usual liability for causing body injury if they do so in a car accident; when individuals purchase “liability” insurance under those regimes, the insurance covers bodily injury of the insured and the insured’s passengers caused by a car accident …” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-fault_insurance

You will have 30 days to complete the steps below, but start them as soon as you can…

Safety Inspection: You will need your vehicle, title, current registration, & watermarked insurance card. You will be given a temporary Safety Inspection paper to take to the DMV. Once you receive registration paper work, you’ll need to return to your Safety Inspection location to get your permanent Safety Inspection sticker. Check your nearest gas station, they may be a licensed Safety Inspection station.

Non-Resident Form: The active duty member should request a “Non Resident Form” (Form CS-L (MVR) from his/her command. Without this form, you will pay the full cost to register, with the form you will pay $25.50. http://www1.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle/mvinformation.htm

Register your vehicle. This site is not run by the City & County of Honolulu but is very informative. http://www.dmv.org/hi-hawaii/car-registration.php You will need your vehicle’s title, current registration, non-resident form (COMPLETELY filled out), temporary Safety Inspection paperwork and shipping receipt. They accept cash or check to be paid to the City & County of Honolulu.

When changing names on the vehicle Titles you will need all the above, and of course any necessary POA’s. You can complete this at a Satellite DMV.

4 thoughts on “Registering Your Vehicle in Hawaii”

The inspection at hickam auto shop is $14.99 that includes the sticker. Plus you fail if you have out of state plates and then you have to go back after you register so it is a shorter drive from the satellite office to the hickam auto shop.